Useful Phrases

1. 呢個 app 係我做㗎

   ni1 go3 app hai6 ngo5 zou6 gaa3

   I made this app

   Usage

   Used when introducing an app you created

   Grammar Note

   "Gaa" is a Cantonese sentence-final particle for emphasis/confirmation

2. 呢個 app 係免費㗎

   ni1 go3 app hai6 min5 fai3 gaa3

   This app is free

   Usage

   Used to inform someone the app is free of charge

   Grammar Note

   "Minn fai" means free of charge in Cantonese

3. 試吓 download 先

   si3 haa5 download sin1

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Used to encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   "Haa" is a Cantonese aspect particle meaning "try/a bit"

4. 我係日本人

   ngo5 hai6 jat6 bun2 jan4

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Basic phrase for introducing your nationality

   Grammar Note

   In Cantonese, "hai" serves as the copula (equivalent to Mandarin "shì")

5. 我係一個旅行者

   ngo5 hai6 jat1 go3 leoi5 hang4 ze2

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Used to identify yourself as a tourist/traveler

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese uses the same characters for traveler

6. 我一個人去旅行

   ngo5 jat1 go3 jan4 heoi3 leoi5 hang4

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Used to say you are traveling by yourself

   Grammar Note

   "Yat go yan" means alone/by oneself in Cantonese

7. 呢次係我第一次嚟呢度

   ni1 ci3 hai6 ngo5 dai6 jat1 ci3 lai4 ni1 dou6

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Common phrase when visiting a place for the first time

   Grammar Note

   "Lai" means to come in Cantonese

8. 我可唔可以影相？

   ngo5 ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 jing2 soeng2?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used when asking permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Ho mm ho yi" is the "A not A" question form meaning "can/may I?"

9. 我哋一齊影相好唔好？

   ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 jing2 soeng2 hou2 m4 hou2?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "jat1 cai4" means together in Cantonese. "好唔好" at the end turns the suggestion into a question: "okay?"

10. 請掃描 QR 碼

    cing2 sou3 miu4 QR maa5

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Used when asking someone to scan a QR code

    Grammar Note

    Cantonese uses the same characters for scan

11. 唔好呃我 / 唔好劏我

    m4 hou2 aak1 ngo5 / m4 hou2 tong1 ngo5

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Strong protest in Cantonese used when being cheated or overcharged

    Grammar Note

    "唔好 (m4 hou2)" is the Cantonese prohibitive, equivalent to Mandarin "不要". "劏 (tong1)" literally means "to slaughter" but is slang for being ripped off

12. 唔好睇輕我

    m4 hou2 tai2 heng1 ngo5

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used in Cantonese when feeling disrespected or underestimated

    Grammar Note

    "睇輕 (tai2 heng1)" is a Cantonese verb phrase meaning "to look down on". "睇" means "to look/see" and "輕" means "light/trivial" — together meaning to underestimate

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